About
Belen Vazquez
BA (Hons), MSc Nutrition, Dip NT, Dip CST, mNTOI, mIACST, IBT
Belén is a baby colic specialist, working with babies and children through nutrition and craniosacral therapy.
- Founder of Belen Optimum Health
- Registered Nutritional Therapist
- Registered Craniosacral Therapist
- Integrative Baby therapy practitioner (IBT)
- MSc (distinction) Personalised Nutrition, Middlesex University/CNELM
- Published in scientific journal on the topic of maternal diet for colic relief
Belen's expertise in natural health solutions for babies and children is supported by 20 years of clinical experience, extensive training in multiple complementary health modalities, and a foundation in scientific research.
My Story
My path to becoming a baby colic specialist and a baby and children nutritionist, and craniosacral therapist started with my own children. They have been my greatest inspiration and the driving force behind the creation of Belén Optimum Health.
The birth of my first child sparked my interest in natural approaches to health and well-being. A baby offers a chance to reconnect with the fundamentals, which inspired me to pursue training in holistic massage.
Six years later, my child’s school principal recommended an assessment for dyslexia and dyspraxia. In addition, he was experiencing agitation and emotional vulnerability.
This became a pivotal moment for me—a crossroads where many parents feel overwhelmed and uncertain. Naturally, I was offered standard care support for my child, but my inquisitive nature pushed me to dig deeper and explore beyond conventional approaches.
By sheer coincidence, I crossed paths with a kinesiologist who identified my child’s gluten intolerance—an often-overlooked condition 15 years ago.
To my amazement, within just two weeks on a gluten-free diet, he was spelling with confidence, his handwriting became more consistent, and he appeared noticeably calmer and more at ease. As a result, the school no longer saw the need for an assessment.
I was stunned. How could eliminating a single food component like gluten have such an immediate and profound impact on my child’s learning and behaviour? It was a remarkable example of the gut-brain connection in action.
Formative years
To understand how the gut and brain communicate to maintain health, it's crucial to look at how various body systems—such as the digestive, immune, nervous, and structural/fascial systems—work together. For example, food, nutrition, toxins, emotions, stress, and trauma play a significant role in influencing the gut-brain and maintaining health.
In 2009, 2011, and 2018, I pursued training in systematic kinesiology, craniosacral therapy, and nutritional therapy. This holistic journey set me on a lifelong path of learning and discovery.
My professional path has closely mirrored my personal journey. For instance, while training in craniosacral therapy, I found out I was pregnant with my third child. During this time, I applied everything I had learned—nutrition, body-based therapies, and mindfulness—into nurturing the growth of my baby.
Feeling confident, healthy, and supported by an experienced midwife, I chose a homebirth. This transformative experience shifted my perspective on the significance of the early days of life.
At the time, I was working with adult clients with a wide range of ailments. After that, I began to realise that many of the health concerns we encounter later in life are rooted in early childhood and infancy.
Reflection...
- What if we adopted a natural, holistic approach to these critical early years?
- What if children received comprehensive environmental, nutritional, and emotional support from infancy?
- What if women were provided with the same level of support both before and after childbirth?
These considerations sparkled the creation of Belén Optimum Health.
Expanding education and practice
The past few years have been crucial in deepening my understanding of environmental factors that influence babies and children from conception through their early years.
As a baby and children nutritionist, I immersed myself in the world of science, earning a Master's degree in Personalised Nutrition and conducting research on the benefits of personalised nutritional advice for colic relief (just published!).
Further, as a craniosacral therapist for babies and children, I explored the fascinating field of pre- and perinatal psychology. These tools have enabled me to value a child’s story, interpret body language, and develop techniques to support babies and children in processing challenging experiences
Final thoughts
My children have led me down a holistic path. As a mother of three, I have gained valuable firsthand experience in raising my kids. For instance, I have had the chance to put into practice the tools I use in clinic, the foods and recipes I recommend to families as well as everyday parenting principles to help children develop in confidence and safety.
I am excited to share my knowledge and clinical expertise to help parents give their children the best possible start in life.
Qualifications and Professional memberships
- Master's Degree in Personalised Nutrition awarded by Middlesex University in collaboration with the Centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management (CNELM), London 2023
- Integrative Baby Therapy training, Conscious Embodiment, Bristol 2022
- Institute for Functional Medicine, Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP UK), London 2018
- Nutritional Therapy Diploma, Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), London 2018
- Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Diploma, Body Intelligence Training, Dublin, 2013
- Systematic Kinesiology Diploma, The Academy of Systematic Kinesiology (ASK), Dublin, 2011
- Member of NTOI (Irish Association of Nutritional Therapists)
- Member of IACST (Irish Association of Craniosacral Therapy)
- Member of IMTA (Irish Massage therapists Association)
- Fully insured for professional liability with Balens Ltd
- Garda vetted, July 2018 (according to the Irish children & vulnerable persons Acts 2012 & 2016)
- First Aid certificate
Post-grad training
Media
I co-authored a published study that validates the use of personalised maternal dietary advice for colic relief.
My practice was featured in the Integrative Healthcare and Applied Nutrition (IHCAN) magazine.
I have presented to the IACST in 2023 on the science behind craniosacral therapy for infant colic relief.
Recorded live webinar for health practitioners 'Infant colic and the Microbiome-Gut-Brain axis'.
I am an eager communicator. For media inquiries or speaking requests, please email info@belenoptimumhealth.com.
Follow Me
Check what parents are saying...
We were able to claim 75% of the cost through our VHI policy under the "Baby Massage" benefit in the Maternity package.
Our son had a health condition where he was coughing, vomiting, snoring and had respiratory problems for 3 years. We went to GPs and specialists several times and they were saying it was viral. He wasn’t putting much weight and growing as expected.
When we found Belen we were helpless and looking for doctors and options abroad.
She took his case seriously as no one else had previously taken and that gave us a whole new perspective. She found the cause of his problem in a few weeks time and following the treatment she prescribed he is a new child! He is now gaining weight and growing like a normal kid. We are very thankful to Belén! Whoever is a parent struggling with their kids problems will understand our relief.